How Friends Play a Vital Role in Boosting Your Health

Friends could reduce your stress
levels by lending a helping hand when needed

Friends can help inculcate healthy lifestyle habits such as giving up
smoking or encouraging you to exercise to keep fit

Friends are always there for
emotional support during instances of serious illness, trauma or death of a near one

Friendship is indeed the best teacher in life. Most of us are fortunate to have wonderful friends in our life.

How Friends Play a Vital Role in Boosting Your Health

In one of the studies evaluated by Medical News Today
in 2015 regarding the health benefits of romantic relationships, it was seen
that healthy lifestyle changes are more successful with partners.

‘Nothing compares to a stomach ache you get when laughing your heart out with your best friends. The close bond of true friendship is priceless!’

Another study in Australia at the Flinders University
demonstrated that participants who had a vast network
of friends outlived those who had fewer friends by about 22%.

Studies have also shown that people with good support system from friends and family have a lower risk of depression. A study conducted in 2015 in seniors showed that in-person contact, at least, three times a week nearly halved seniors' risk of depression.

Friendship is one of the most beautiful things on earth
and your friends are indispensable for all the good reasons.

Friends Are Your Stress-Busters

Just being in the company of friends, will make you forget your problems and any unwanted pressure that you might be feeling. You trust your friends and confide even your darkest secrets, fears, happiness and joy in your friends.

A study conducted and published in Developmental Psychology in 2011 reveals that being with your good
friends during a negative experience in your life could reduce your stress
levels to a great extent.

The study enrolled 103 kids aged 10 to 12 years and
found that the children who spent time with their best friend during a
stressful time had lower levels of stress hormone cortisol in their saliva,
when compared to spending time with a parent, sibling or a teacher during the
same stressful period.

More Friends Mean Better
Heart Health

Previous research suggests that having friends and keeping in touch with them could potentially lower your blood pressure as well as help you recover from any heart conditions.

A study conducted in 2014 and published in Journal of the American Heart Association showed that patients who had suffered a heart attack were more likely to be depressed and have a poor quality of life if they did not have friends or had a low social support system.

Another
study conducted on 500 women with suspected coronary artery disease revealed
that those with more friends were 50% less likely to die from this condition as
compared to those with fewer friends.

Friends Are Your Recipe for Longevity

Good friends are always by your side through thick and thin to support you in all situations in life. They give you a greater sense of belonging and meaning in life, thus improving your overall mood. Research has shown that making new friends can instantly lift up your spirits through the release of the hormone oxytocin in your body.

Your friends can help you stop any unwanted habits such as smoking and drinking, help you eat better and moreover, put an end to any loneliness in your life - all these are key factors for longevity.

A study published in the journal Psychology and Aging demonstrated that participants who were socially active in their 20s could benefit from better health later in life while better quality friendships in their 30s could help them live longer.

Friends Circle and Social Network Connections Could Lower
Alzheimer Risk

As you age, there is a natural decline in your
cognitive function. Statistics reveal that by the year 2025, the number of
people suffering from dementia could possibly be as high as 7.1 million.

Some studies show that good social networks could help stave off the illness. A study done in 2008 by researchers from Kaiser Permanente in Southern California, showed that women who bonded with their friends and maintained their friendships over a 4-year period were at 26% lower risk of dementia than those with smaller social networks. The study also showed that women who saw and met their friends and family on a daily basis reduced their dementia risk by half.

Tips for
Maintaining Long Lasting Friendships

Despite being busy with your daily routine, be sure to make time to see and meet up with your friends and show them how much you appreciate them.

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